Arcadia couple arrested after 21 surrogate children found in abuse investigation

ARCADIA, Calif. - An Arcadia couple has been arrested on severe child abuse charges after authorities uncovered an alleged surrogacy scheme involving at least 21 children living under abusive conditions inside their Arcadia home

What we know:

An investigation into the couple began in 2025 when Zhang brought her two-month-old infant to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where medical personnel discovered the child had suffered a brain bleed and traumatic head injury from being violently shaken and struck by a nanny. 

Despite knowing about the assault, Zhang and Xuan waited two days to seek medical attention, only taking the child to the hospital after seizures began.

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Arcadia police served a search warrant at the couple's home in the 600 block of West Camino Real and seized surveillance camera footage revealing widespread abuse. 

The couple had set up three rooms designated as learning centers, where the children spent hours seated at desks under nanny supervision while monitored by motion-activated cameras. 

Prosecutors revealed that Zhang and Xuan watched as nannies subjected the children to daily beatings, specifically instructing the workers not to leave physical marks. 

Prior to police arrival at the home during the initial investigation, the couple instructed the children to deny being beaten.

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services took protective custody of 15 children from the home, while six additional children were located at other residences, bringing the total under the couple's care to 21. 

The children ranged in age from two months to 13 years old, with most between ages one and three. 

Police believe Zhang gave birth to one or two of the children, while the remaining children were born through surrogates hired via an agency operated from the couple's home, formerly known as Mark Surrogacy and currently operating as Future Spring Surrogacy. 

At least eight surrogates have stated they were aggressively pursued by the couple and given misleading information regarding the family situation.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced on Tuesday that Zhang and Xuan face several counts of child abuse, conspiracy to commit child abuse, accessory after the fact, and dissuading a witness. 

Prosecutors are seeking $100 million bail for each defendant due to the extreme severity of the alleged conduct and significant flight risk.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not established a clear motive explaining why Zhang and Xuan sought to acquire and maintain legal guardianship over such a large number of surrogate children. 

Law enforcement officials are still investigating the exact biological parentage of each of the 21 children involved. 

It's also unclear how long the physical abuse and neglect had been occurring inside the home prior to the medical emergency. 

Authorities have not disclosed the precise whereabouts or permanent placement plans for the six children relocated prior to the execution of protective custody orders.

What they're saying:

Hochman delivered a stark assessment of the conditions inside the home, declaring, "This case is unprecedented. It is horrific. And the physical abuse, beating and punishment that these very young children received, is despicable."

Characterizing the environment directly, Hochman added, "The house could only be described as a house of horrors for these incredible young children." Promising severe consequences as prosecution proceeds, he stated, "There will be a reckoning" for the couple.

Lieutenant Kollin Cieadlo of the Arcadia Police Department addressed the physical setup inside the residence, noting that the house was "set up for a school environment."

Addressing the parents' justification during the initial investigation, Cieadlo explained that the couple "basically told us they wanted a large family."

Speaking on behalf of Guojun Xuan, defense attorney Mitchell Krems pushed back against the criminal characterization, framing his client's motives around long-term educational goals.

"The reason he has all these children is because he wants them to contribute to society. He is not a man who is self-indulgent. Some who are wealthy might spend on jewelry or cars, but he is actually spending his resources to help his children become educated so that they can be the philosophers, the physicians, the researchers and the inventors that help society."

What's next:

Zhang and Xuan are scheduled to be arraigned on their felony charges at the Pasadena courthouse, where a judge will rule on the prosecution's $100 million bail motion. 

Law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing an outstanding arrest warrant for Chunmei Li, the nanny captured on video assaulting the infant, who remains at large after fleeing to China. 

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services will oversee the ongoing evaluation, care, and legal placement of all 21 children. 

Investigators also continue to probe Xuan's past, including prior law enforcement scrutiny involving an El Monte property allegedly linked to an illegal casino and psilocybin mushroom growing operation.

What you can do:

Members of the public who have information regarding the whereabouts of fugitive nanny Chunmei Li or details concerning the operations of Mark Surrogacy and Future Spring Surrogacy are encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department or the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Bureau. 

Individuals who suspect child abuse or neglect in their communities can report tips confidentially to local law enforcement or the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.